The dethroned Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Osun State, Oba Joseph Oloyede, has taken Governor Ademola Adeleke to court over plans to fill the vacant traditional stool.
Oba Oloyede, who was convicted in the United States over fraud-related offences, is asking an Osun State High Court sitting in Ile-Ife to stop the governor and other government officials from appointing another person as the Apetumodu.
In a suit marked HIF/50/2026, the former monarch filed a motion asking the court to stop all steps towards filling the stool until the main case is decided.
He claimed that Governor Adeleke and some government officials did not formally inform him of any offence or wrongdoing before his removal from office.
In his application dated September 16, 2026, Oba Oloyede also questioned the legality of the order said to have removed him as the Apetumodu on May 7, 2026.
He referred to a report published by The Guardian newspaper on May 11, 2026, which reported his removal from the throne.
Other claimants in the case include Princes Oyewusi Adewusi, Isaac Adewuni and Abiodun Oyetoro. They are acting on behalf of other members of the Latimogun Royal Family of the Aribile Ruling House in Ipetumodu.
The defendants include Governor Adeleke, the Osun State Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Afolabi Adedeji, the Asalu of Ipetumodu and head of the kingmakers, Chief Adesoye Babalola, the Malefon of Ipetumodu and Ife North Local Government.
Meanwhile, the court hearing was stalled on Monday because some of the defendants had not received their hearing notices.
Only the lawyers representing the claimants and the fifth defendant were present in court.
Counsel to the claimants, O. Ogbewe, told the court that the defendants had been served with the court papers.
However, Soji Oyetayo, lawyer to the fifth defendant, Chief Adesoye Babalola, told the court that he had not received the hearing notice.
He asked the court to give the claimants more time to serve all the defendants properly.
In his ruling, Justice Dapo Adeniji adjourned the case until January 21, 2027. He also ordered that fresh hearing notices should be issued and served on all the defendants.
Recall that Governor Adeleke had approved the removal of Oba Oloyede as the Apetumodu of Ipetumodu following his conviction in the United States on tax fraud and money laundering charges.
The latest court action is expected to determine the legal battle over the removal and the future of the Apetumodu stool.
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